Sociology in the 21st Century: A Discipline in Crisis or in Transformation?

By Dr. Aisha Jalil.

In a world overwhelmed by information but short on understanding, sociology may be the one discipline we cannot afford to abandon. Sociology is an essential discipline that helps us understand the world, navigate complex human relationships, and make informed decisions in our everyday lives.

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At its most basic level, Sociology can be understood as a scientific and systematic study of human behaviour in social environments. The subject is remarkably diverse, offering insights into the social fabric of society and deepening our understanding of human relationships within social groups and organizations. It also engages with issues of diversity and inequality, including race, gender, ethnicity, and class. At its heart, lies the social change which explains how and why societies evolve over time while also addressing social phenomena that are both universal—such as magic and music—and those that vary across different societies such as family and marriage. It equips the scholar with the ability to generate empirical evidence from social and qualitative phenomena, which are inherently less predictable than scientific concepts. Thus, sociology takes a holistic perspective in understanding the interaction between personal experiences and societal structures.

Yet despite its central importance, is the discipline losing its voice, when human society needs it the most?

Many influential leaders and thinkers around the world have studied sociology. Naming a few, Fernando Henrique Cardoso, Brazil’s President from 1995-2002 was a sociology professor at the University of São Paulo (USP). He also taught at prestigious international universities like Stanford, Berkeley, Cambridge, and Brown. After his tenure as President was over, he returned to professorship.  

Another prominent example is, Michelle Obama, the First Lady of the United States, renowned for being the first person of colour to earn this title in the United States of America, did her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Princeton University in 1985.

Martin Luther King, Jr. an American civil rights activist and Baptist minister, who led the civil rights movement in 1955 was a sociologist. He was a pivotal American civil rights leader, who advocated for nonviolent change, led marches, boycotts, and protests against segregation, and ultimately culminated major legislation like the Civil Rights Act.

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A notable religious figure, Cardinal Robert W. McElroy, appointed Archbishop of Washington, D.C. in January 2025, quite recently came into the spotlight as a holder of a Ph.D. in sociology.

Turning to Pakistan, Begum Ra’ana Liaquat Ali Khan, pursued a Master’s in Sociology at the University of Lucknow in 1929. She was the first woman Governor of Sindh province, and the first Chancellor of the University of Karachi. She also founded the All-Pakistan Women’s Association (APWA) for women’s social, educational, and cultural uplift. 

Beyond these examples, there are thousands of accomplished people in the world, who have made an impact with university degrees in sociology.

Recently, Sociology as a subject is facing challenges, perhaps a decline in parts of the world. But whether one can broadly say “sociology is declining worldwide” is more complicated and requires statistical evidence.

Sociology is facing challenges like shrinking institutional support, lower student demand, and pressure from more “practical” or career-oriented disciplines. Despite Sociology remains a major academic discipline globally. There are well-established professional bodies such as International Sociological Association, formed as a UNESCO’s wing that continue to support research, publication, teaching, and global collaboration among sociologists.

In Pakistan, sociology appears to be struggling to attract students compared to more “marketable” fields. There are general misconceptions about the subject such as it is a women centric discipline and some are doubtful about the employability after the degree. Understanding of human behaviour in society is good but where to apply this knowledge. Misperceptions as such, need attention of sociologists.

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Besides this, the students who score good in high secondary schools are naturally opting for sciences and computer science and IT disciplines. This is rare for a bright student to opt for subjects like sociology. These exceptions are there.

Historically, the discipline received great scholars from the oldest departments of sociology in Pakistan. The department of sociology was established in the University of the Punjab in 1955 and since then a significant number of students have graduated from this prestigious institution. The department were established in University of Khyber (UoK) Peshawar and University of Karachi in 1960 and in Quaid‑i‑Azam University in year 1972.

HEC Pakistan has been revising the BS curriculum guidelines and has made all degrees specifically focused on the major discipline reducing the credit hours for social and human sciences, which will affect the jobs of many sociologists in the universities. Every profession needs a set of human skills including knowledge about human society and ethics.

In some countries, enrolment in sociology degree-programs has fallen. For example, a study on European universities found that Bachelor’s enrolments in sociology rose until the mid-2000s, but recently reduced significantly. Some universities have closed down their programs because despite the relevance and importance of a discipline, universities run programs on demand by the public.

Analysing global situation and advancement of knowledge, social theory might be losing some of its resonance with policymakers, organizations, and the public due to a growing gap between social theory and contemporary societal needs. However, the classical sociological theory still has relevance as it describes the circumstances and social phenomenon in a certain time period.

More broadly, general concern such as “sociology is without a clear professional connection” and especially perceived as more theoretical or less job-oriented, Sociologists need to address these concerns of the students to gain their trust and interest back towards the field. Global effort is needed by the sociologists for the uplift of the discipline and profession. 

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In contrast, in A-levels in the UK, sociology has recently grown and received relative popularity. A trusted source notes a 23% increase in A-level sociology exam entries since 2018.

Despite the challenges, internationally, sociology departments remain active, especially those that emphasize applied or policy-relevant sociology. Thus, it can be said that sociology is under pressure in many parts of the world, especially where economic demands, job-market incentives, or a push for technical fields dominate.

The importance of this discipline lies in its role as a foundation for social and public policy. Its interdisciplinary subject matter applies to all areas of life and enhancing scholars’ employability.

Funding and institutional support for sociology departments, including libraries, research grants, faculty development programs, and collaborations with international universities might improve its public recognition and student demand. The degree programs may be tailored to emphasize applied sociology and evidence-based social policy.

Universities can partner with NGOs, government bodies, and communities to show the real-world impact of sociological research and analysis. Pakistan needs a Sociology Council to regulate the discipline and standardize it. These platforms address any issues related to underappreciation. Mentoring future sociologists is extremely important and annual meetings of international sociologists can connect the people in this discipline and attract new people coming in. Networking among sociologists is needed to keep people intact.

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By Dr. Aisha Jalil.

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